Middletown transcript., 1887-12-08

SuCu Ldlho dS IuUbuOL auu cOA Lou OfCA
me in that deserted room ! Such plans
ming to make much out Of little, md
little from nothing It really made
my heart ache, and I longed to be
something more than a tree-some-
thing human, that I might aid these
loving workers. Sometimes my
branches would stir with emotion.
But they never mistrusted it. The
mothers eyes grew brighter, as, wrap
ped ina shawl, she sat beside me sew
ing after little Nellie had fallen
asleep. Her face would sometimes
wear a younger look, as though
she were living over again her
girlhood's days. And once when
she had finished a cloth doll and dress
ed it in some garments she had
made, she smiled and I heard her sing
ing softly some old-fashioned air.
Won't Nellie be happy, mother ?''
Tim kept saying as he worked away at
a cradle he was shaping for the Won
derful doll.
"Indeed she viii and so will you and
II"
&c 1t would be impossible for to
tell you the gladness that came to these
people from the veriest trife, Auntie
Burke entered into the scheme as
heartily as did Tim and his mother !;
and, though poor herself, she bright
ened her room to make ready for the
coming festival, and gave of her small
store most willingly.
'sBless the child, little sufferer that
she is It would be pity if a great
strong woman like me couldn't do a
bit to make her Christmas glad I"
She it was who hunted up the pretty
print for the dolls dress. An unused
curtain of hers made the neat clothing
for the bed Tim whittladsopt, and her
self-denial furnished corn enough to
decorate my branches.
Mr.. Delano was not forgetfpl Of his
promise to the boy, and the result was
paper Of candy, nuts and fancy crack
ers, few wax candles and toy or
two, that in Tins eyes were beautiful
beyond expression. Then, as though
to add to their enjoyment, Tim came
bounding home one night with the
wonderful news that his weekly wages
had been raised twenty-five cents, and,
it being Christmas time, he had been
paid for the week just ended.
"Oh, Mamma, may I spend just
this ? You know we have got along
and we can just little longer"
The words &c Yes, my boy" were
hardly spoken, when the lad seized his
cap and rushed off to five cent
store " where he was soon busily en-
gagged looking over the holiday ,oods
displayed upon its counters. 81 much
money must be used judiciously and a
full hour passed before he returned
and placed in his mothers lap, toy
dishpan, box of cooking utensils, a
slate, bright apron and child's COB
let. There were tears in the mothers
eyes that night as she slowed away
these treasures in the room where I
was watching and listening, and as she
bent over her boy and kissed him.. I
heard her say:
''You are getting so like papa,
Tim -
And he threw both arms about. her
and replied J." am going to be just
like him one of these days, little moth
er, and then you shan't work or know
anything about care and trouble !! %
The afternoon of the day before
Christmas found all the preparations
completed. The principal work was
accomplished the evening before, SO as
not to;arouse Nellie's curiosity, but Tim
had so many alterations to make that
he kept busy long after others declared
the work complete.
Time slipped on until Tins step at
the door informed me that the surprise
was soon to be. Lamps were lighted,
my covering was removed, and full in
the light / stood, ready to fulfill my
mission of gladness.
Tim, with glowing face, came first,
bearing little rocking chair, and just
behind, his mother with mite of
girl in her arms. Unfolding the shawl
that was wrapped about her, they
placed the child in her chair just be-
fore me, and then, turning up the
lights that all my gifts might be seen
at ONCE. mother, brother and friend
stepped back and listened for the first
words the child should utter. I, alone,
could see her face as she raised her
eyes and looked at me. Surprise, glad
ness, love, all mingled, transformed
the child's countenance into that of an
angel. Not a word did she utter for
moment. Closing her eyes, tears roll
ed down her cheeks.
The first emotion having sp ent itself,
the child was herself again, and ex-
claimed:
" What a dear, good Santa Claus,
and how I love him ~
Tim was her ready assistant, and,
kneeling beside der chair, he displayed
the merits Of each gift as his mother
took it from the tree.
6 See! Real candy, Nellie Isn't it